Banpeiyu

A Banpeiyu fruit became the worlds heaviest pomelo when it was presented by Seiji Sonoda from Japan for the Guinness World Record at the Banpeiyu Competition in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto, Japan on the 25th of December 2005. This specimen weighed 4.8597kg (10lb 11.3 oz) with a circumference of 83.5cm (32.8in).[2]

The fruit of the Banpeiyu is very popular in Japan for eating fresh, due to its blend of mild acidity and pleasant sweetness,[3] it is also used in the production of fruit jelly.[4]

Origin and names

Banpeiyu is mostly known today as a Japanese citrus and is ranked as the most popular pomelo cultivar in Japan, producing high quality fruits in the hottest regions of the country. Nevertheless, it is assumed to be of unknown, possibly Malayan origin, and arrived in Japan via Taiwan where it was introduced in 1920, and is sometimes referred to as a Taiwan Pomelo. It also has many other names, which are similar in pronouncement to Pay You.[5]

Description

The tree is large and of vigorous growth, new buds are hairy as are the underside of the leaves. The fruit is very large and nearly spherical, it has a thick pith which is pale yellow and smooth. Juice vesicles are likewise pale-yellow, firm but tender and juicy, with an excellent balanced flavour between sweet and tart, separated into 15-18 segments with thin but tough walls. The fruit is harvested during medium to late season and keeps fresh for several months.[5][6]